Rapids' Tim Howard to undergo season-ending surgery Thursday

U.S. keeper to miss Colorado's appearance in MLS Western Conference final

By Daniel Boniface

The Denver Post

Posted:
11/14/2016 04:17:57 PM MST

Updated:
11/14/2016 04:35:20 PM MST

United States' Jermaine Jones, left, watches teammate Tim Howard walk off the field after being injured during the first half of the team's World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Friday in Columbus, Ohio. (Jay LaPrete / Associated Press)

COMMERCE CITY — Tim Howard's first season with the Colorado Rapids is over.

The 37-year-old United States goalkeeper will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday in Los Angeles, the Rapids announced Monday.

Howard on Friday fractured his right adductor longus, which is located in the upper groin, during a World Cup qualifier against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, the Rapids said in a news release.

The surgery will be performed by U.S. national team physician Dr. Michael B. Gerhardt and is expected to sideline Howard for four months, meaning he will miss the Rapids' Western Conference final against Seattle Sounders FC and the beginning of 2017 training camp.

Howard sustained the injury late in the first half Friday. He was taking a goal kick when he pulled up lame. Brad Guzan replaced him in the 40th minute.

In his first regular season with Colorado, Howard was 6-3-8 in games he started and is a finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year. He made two saves in a penalty shootout Nov. 6 in the Western Conference semifinals to send the Rapids past the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Rapids will now turn to backup goalkeeper Zac MacMath, who started 17 games this season for Colorado, posting six shutouts and an MLS-best 0.76 goals-against average. MacMath and Howard were named the Rapids' co-MVPs for the 2016 season.

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